The Director of Industrial Relations is charged with responsibility for labor management, national negotiations, mechanization, safety and health for all divisions of the union, and the administration of the collective bargaining agreement.

There’s more to being a progressive union than achieving and enforcing a contract — and that’s where the Human Relations Department comes in. Our programs and benefits inspire members to participate in the union and give them a sense of inclusion, contribution, and ownership.

The Maintenance Craft is a diverse and complex division of the APWU. In addition to the three national officers who work at the union's headquarters in Washington, DC, representation is provided by nine Maintenance National Business Agents (NBAs) and three all-craft NBAs.

The Motor Vehicle Craft is composed of APWU members who transport mail and maintain postal vehicles, and includes MVS Clerks, who work in Vehicle Maintenance Facilities and in Transportation Departments in mail processing plants.

The Support Services Division represents APWU bargaining unit members at Information Technology/ Accounting Service Centers, Operating Services facilities, Mail Equipment Shops and Material Distribution Centers, as well as professional nurses employed by the Postal Service. The Division also includes APWU-represented workers who are employed in the private sector, including mail haul drivers and Mail Transport Equipment Service Center employees.

The Northeast Regional Coordinator is responsible for union activity in parts of New York and New Jersey, and Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Western Region Coordinator is responsible for the union's activities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and American Samoa, Guam and Saipan.

The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Task Force is a forum for APWU members to address their unique problems and concerns in the workplace, union, and society. Established in 1988 by an amendment to the APWU National Constitution, its goals include: better communication, better representation; better training, a better workplace, a better union, and building friendship.

APWU POWER (Post Office Women for Equal Rights) is the women’s committee within the American Postal Workers Union. It unites women, with their special concerns, yet works within the framework of the national APWU organization.

The APWU National Postal Press Association (PPA) provides APWU communicators with a wide range of assistance, information, and educational programs concerning the publication of union newsletters and media.

Latest News

Latest News

10/26/2018 - Federal authorities announced that an arrest was made in connection with the explosive devices being sent through the mail. However, an arrest does not mean the danger is over. There is still a possibility that additional pieces remain in the mail stream. APWU leadership again reminds you to be vigilant and continue to be on the lookout for any suspicious devices. Alert and observant postal employees have already helped to intercept some of the devices in the mail stream...

The Postal Service recently released an additional Stand-up Talk in regards to both the arrest and suspicious packages.

10/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the September/October 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

By Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman

“It is the responsibility of management to provide safe working conditions in all present and future installations and to develop a safe working force.”

This is how Article 14 of our Collective Bargaining agreement with the Postal Service begins. That one sentence is very powerful and tells all of us that the highest-ranking postal manager – the Postmaster General – recognizes that ultimately it is their responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment.

You may hear supervisors and managers say that safety is “everyone’s responsibility” or that every accident is “preventable.” But how often do you hear that safety is every worker’s right?

Each year on Workers Memorial Day (April 28), working people throughout the world remember those who were hurt or killed on the job and recommit to the struggle for a safe workplace.

The Post Office is a dangerous place to work. In Fiscal Year 2017 alone, 12 postal employees died on the job and 42,594 injury claims were approved.

This Workers Memorial Day, we call for an end to the unnecessary injuries and deaths of our brothers and sisters. We push for action by – and increased protections for – all workers. Report safety hazards in the workplace and let’s hold management accountable to fix them.

EEOC Decision is Final:

03/28/2018 - The time is now for all current and former permanent-rehabilitation and limited-duty postal employees who were subjected to the USPS National Reassessment Process (NRP) between May 5, 2006 and July 1, 2011 to file a timely claim with the Postal Service to seek monetary damages and other relief. The Postal Service has exhausted all of its administrative appeals in the class action discrimination complaint, McConnell v. USPS.

In Light of Austin, Texas Bombings

03/20/2018 - The APWU condemns the vicious and criminal bombings in Austin, TX aimed at injuring and killing innocent human beings... We urge our members to be on high alert and vigilant to protect worker and public safety.

03/16/2018 - The APWU was informed on October 26, 2017 of the Postal Service’s intent to roll out a new program called the Safety Ambassador Program. The Postal Service intends to replace the safety captain program, and any other local safety programs, with this “standardized” and nationally controlled program. The American Postal Workers Union does not support, agree with, or endorse this program.

03/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the March-April 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

By Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman

We all know and enjoy our holiday – Labor Day. But did you know that there is another day that honors the workers of the world? It is celebrated on April 28 of each year, and it is Workers Memorial Day. This day honors and remembers those who have suffered from injuries, occupational illnesses and died while on the job. This day is also the day we renew the ﬁght for safe jobs.

01/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the January-February 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

Every worker has the right to a safe workplace. Most APWU members know first-hand what can happen if proper safety procedures are not followed by management. The simple truth is: If postal workers want a safe workplace, APWU members have to work together to force management to make changes when necessary.